Google’s +1 - The “Like” Button for Google Searches - 04/07/11

Almost a year after Facebook debuted its "Like" buttons, Google is announcing the search engine equivalent - the "+1" button. Launching today as part of the Google search engine the "+1" button allows you to show your approval of the ads and search results you find interesting. The button is part of the search engine for now but API functionality is in the works for websites everywhere.

Is this part of Google's new social network meant to rival Facebook? Is Google gearing up to compete with the social media juggernaut? Or is this just a new feature being standardized going forward? Maybe a comeback after the failure that was Google Buzz? That is to be seen.

Let's check out what "+1" (said as "plus one") really is and what it means for you.

+1 Google Search Results You Find Interesting

Starting today, users of Google.com in the US, searching in English, may see the +1 button next to search listings provided they are logged in to their Google account. Example of a search result with a +1 button next to it:

If you don't see the buttons and you would like to force them being turned on so that you can use the feature visit Google Experimental and join the +1 button experiment.

Clicking on the +1 button lights it up giving some visual feedback so you can tell you've "+1'd" the content:

You can undo this action if you decide later that the content is unworthy of your praise.

You may be wondering where this "+1" is being "+1'd" to...boy that is awkward to say out loud. Much like the "Like" (ok I'm done with the awkward phrasing I promise) button on Facebook your +1 button will be linked to your account - like any other social media site.

Searches and +1

The next part is pretty straightforward. The +1 button may be new but the concept is not. Facebook popularized the concept and solidified its use throughout the internet with the "Like" button. We've seen other examples such as Reddit's upvote and downvote system, Twitter's "tweet this" links, as well as other social media sites' "share" buttons. Whatever the system may be they all convey the same point: "I think this is just neat." When you are logged in to Google, links you have +1'd or links which have been +1'd by others in your network will display like so:

In addition to displaying the users in your network who have +1'd the link, it will also diplay how many +1s the link has received from those outside of your network. This will give you an idea of how popular the link is among +1 users in general.

Improved Search Results

The concept combined with the Google search engine is incredibly powerful. How much more likely are you to click a link if one of your friends or colleagues has already viewed and approved it? I know I'd rather get an answer that is proven among friends than dig through pages of search results to find it.

The benefits are great - search gets better, you find what you need faster, you get better quality results. The downsides - none until social media giants start charging us cash to communicate with each other.